Combined match-case and cigar-tip cutter.



G. L. BUGKMAN. COMBINED MATCH CASE AND CIGAR TIP CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTA, 1908.

Patented June 15, 1909.

Jrzve rafo r: G'ewye Z. Buck/7mm Wc'fmeaaea duty.

for: min: JETS-8 co., wnsnuv GEORGE L. BUOKMAN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

COMBINED MATCH-CASE AND CIGAR-TIP CUTTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 15, 1909.

Application filed September 1, 1908. Serial No. 451,141.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE L. BUGKMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at WVashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Match-Cases and Cigar-Tip Cutters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in combined match cases and cigar-tip cutters.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a match case and a cooperative automatic cigar cutter.

Another object contemplated by the invention is the provision of means for automatically and simultaneously severing the tip of a cigar and opening the cover or lid of the receptacle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automatic cigar-tip cutting mechanism which may be incorporated as a component part of a match case or the like and detached therefrom with facility when the occasion so requires without in any way altering the arrangement and construction of the ordinary type of match case, the said device when included in the organization being designed to occupy a minimum space, all the parts thereof being so positioned relatively to the case that any danger of said parts contacting with the heads of the matches and igniting the same will be entirely precluded.

To the accomplishment of the recited obj ects and others coordinate therewith, the preferred embodiment of my invention resides in that construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

In said drawings :--Figure I is a front elevation of amatch case embodying the invention. Fig. II is a side elevation of the case, the parts thereof being shown in central vertical section and in a position of inactivity. Fig. III is a similar view showing the relations assumed by the cigar-tip cutting mechanism and the cover after the former has been actuated. Fig. IV is a detail perspective view of the cigar-tip cutting mechanism. Fig. V is a similar view taken from the opposite side of the device, and Fig. VI is a detail perspective view of the knife and supporting means therefor.

Referring more particularly to the drawings for a detail description of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a match case which may be of any preferred construction, obviously provided with a hinged cover (6) and having on one side thereof a circular aperture (7), the edges of the box surrounding said aperture being beveled, as at 8, in order to assist in directing the tip of a cigar.

The cigar-tip cutting mechanlsm comprises essentially a substantially U-shaped frame used conjunctively with the knife and actuating means therefor. The upright portions (9) and (10) of said frame are formed of suitable spring metal and are arranged in vertical parallelism, the upper portions thereof being flexed from polnts approximately medially of the vertical extent of said members (9) and (10) to form slots (11) and (12) of substantially rectangular contour and being oppositely disposed to each other. Slidably mounted in said slots (11) and (12) are the member (13) and the knife (14) respectively, the said knife having an inclined beveled cutting edge (15) and being secured exteriorly of the lower right angnlarly deflected portion (16) of the member (13), as at 17, the distal ends of the portion (16) serving as a shoulder (18), the purpose of which will be presently set forth. Centrally of the bent portion of the vertically extending upright (10) is a circular opening (19) with a circumference somewhat less than the circumference of the aperture (7) in the box, relative to which, the said opening (19) is designed to be placed in juxtaposition. Interposed between the uprights (9) and (10) and bearing against the outer base portion of the member (13) and the inner base portion of the U-shaped frame is a coil spring (20). As an entirety the cutting mechanism is fixedly or rigidly secured by inserting a pin, as 21, transversely of the case (5) through the openings (22) of the arms (23) which are formed as an integral part of the upright (9).

In practical operation the shoulder (18), which is located on the inner side of the knife (14) and formed by the distal end of the member (13), normally engages the lower edge of the flexed portion of the member (10) as clearly indicated in Figs. II and V of the accompanying drawings. As the tip of a cigar is inserted in the opening (7) of the box the periphery thereof contacts with the edge around the opening (18) of the spring member (10), and when sufficient pressure is exerted on said cigar the said member (10) is forced inwardly, thereby causing the slot (11) to be placed in vertical alinement with the knife (14) and the angular portion (16) of the member (13) and allowing said portions to be forced upwardly by the tensile stress of the coil spring (20), the cutting edge (15) of said knife severing the tip of the cigar and the upper terminal of the member (13) engaging the underneath side of the cover (6), as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. II of the drawings, causing the said cover to oscillate and assume the open position shown in Fig. III of the drawings. It will be noted in this connection that the extended position of the knife and the member (13) produces a slight contraction of the proximal ends of the uprights (9) and (10), such contraction being attributed to the interposition of the portion (16) of the member Upon bringing the cover (6) to a closed position the same will engage the terminal of the member (13) and by exerting a slight pressure on the cover the said member will be forced downwardly against the action of said spring thereby causing the arm (10) because of its resiliency to resume its normal vertical condition, whereupon the said shoulder (18) will engage the lower edge of the flexed portion of the upright (10) and hence assume a set position to again be automatically actuated by the tip of a cigar.

In addition to the other advantages accredited to my invention it will. appear evident that the same is simple in construction and operation, economical to market and manufacture and will supply a vast field of usefulness.

It should be understood that in its broader aspect my invention comprehends the em ployment not only of the various means described, but of equivalent means for performing the recited functions.

While the arrangement shown is thought, at the present time, to be preferable, it is desired to reserve the right to effect such modifications and variations thereof as may come fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a case having a cover, of an automatic cigar tip cutting mechanism adapted to be actuated by the pressure of a cigar, the actuation of said mechanism causing a simultaneous opening of the cover.

2. The combination with a case having a cover, and mechanism designed to be actuated by the pressure of a cigar to automatically sever the tip of said cigar and simultaneously open said cover, the closing of said cover being designed to reset said mechanism.

3. The combination with a case having a cover, of a yieldable frame, a spring pressed knife and means actuated by the pressure of a cigar on said frame for causing said knife to sever the tip of a cigar and simultaneously openingsaid cover, the closing of the cover being designed to reset said knife.

l. The combination with a case having a cover and an opening, of a yieldable frame having an opening arranged coincident with said first mentioned opening, a locked spring pressed knife slidably mounted in said frame, and means whereby upon the insertion of the tip of a cigar through said openings, the said knife will 'be released to sever said tip, and means associated with the knife for opening the cover and adapted to be engaged by the latter when closed to reset said knife.

The combination with a case having a cover and an opening, of a yieldable frame having an opening arranged coincident with said first mentioned opening, the second mentioned opening being smaller than the first mentioned opening, a locked spring pressed knife slidably mounted in said frame, and means whereby uponth'e insertion of the tip of a cigar through saidopenings, the said knife will be releasedto sever said tip, and means associated with the knife for opening the cover and adapted to be engaged by the latter when closed to reset said knife. 7

6. The combination with a case havinga cover and an opening, of a yieldable frame having an. opening arranged coincident with said first mentioned opening and a pair of slots, a locked spring pressed knife slidably mounted in said slots, and means whereby upon the insertion of the tip of a cigar through said openings, the said knife will be released to sever saidtip, and means associated with the knife for opening the cover and adapted. to be engaged by the latter when closed to reset said'knife.

7. The combination with a case having a' cover and an opening, of a yieldable frame having an opening arranged coincidentwith said'first mentioned opening and .a pair of slots, a knife movable in one of said slots and a member movable in the other slot, said knife and member being connected together, a coil spring, the lower distal end of said. member being adapted to be held in engagement with the frame at the lower portion of one of said slots and designed to be released by exerting pressure on said frame with a cigar. to cause the knife to sever the tip of said cigar, the upper extremital portion of said member engaging the said cover and opening the same, and the said knife being reset by closing said cover.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE L. BUCKMAN. lVitnesses S. A. TERRY, GEORGE W. E. SLATERJ 

